A Shelter Built on Compassion, Fueled by Community

Compassion. Community. Solutions.

  • What We Do

    MATS provides safe, fully furnished transitional housing to individuals and families experiencing homelessness in the Monadnock region. Our shelter includes six private apartments, each offering a warm, stable environment where guests can regroup, rebuild, and work toward long-term solutions. But we offer more than shelter—we provide a path forward with personalized plans, one-on-one guidance, and support that helps guests achieve lasting stability.

  • Who We Serve

    MATS serves individuals and families across the Greater Monadnock Region, including towns such as Antrim, Bennington, Dublin, Greenfield, New Ipswich, Jaffrey, Peterborough, Sharon, and Temple. We also accept referrals from shelters throughout New Hampshire and neighboring states. We are a transitional shelter, not an emergency shelter. This distinction allows us to focus on sustained support and long-term outcomes.

  • Our Mission

    At MATS, our mission is to empower individuals experiencing homelessness by providing safe housing, compassionate support, and vital referral services. We are dedicated to raising community awareness about the realities of homelessness and advocating for lasting solutions that foster dignity, stability, and hope.

Our Story:

In 1989, a simple newspaper column opened our community’s eyes to a hidden crisis. Jim Lenane, then Director of Human Services for the Town of Peterborough, used his platform in the Peterborough Transcript to highlight the growing number of individuals and families facing homelessness in the Monadnock region. Some were passing through, sleeping in church pews. Others were longtime residents with no place to call home.

His call to action did not go unheard.

Reverend Gary Hauze of the Union Congregational Church stepped forward, joining forces with Jim and a group of deeply concerned citizens and local clergy. Together, they laid the groundwork for what would become the Monadnock Area Transitional Shelter (MATS)—a place rooted in dignity, hope, and the belief that everyone deserves a safe place to rebuild.

MATS officially opened its doors in 1991, and that founding spirit of compassion continues to guide us today.

Real Voices. Real Change.

At MATS, the mission goes far beyond providing shelter—it’s about restoring stability, dignity, and hope. Through powerful conversations with our Board of Directors and past guests, you’ll hear firsthand how housing transforms lives.

From Crisis to Community.

Every apartment at MATS is more than a place to stay—it’s a turning point. In this video series, board members reflect on the heart behind their service, and former guests share their journeys of resilience, recovery, and renewal.

These aren’t scripted success stories—they’re honest accounts of hardship, healing, and what happens when a community refuses to look away. Watch, listen, and learn why this work is not just necessary—it’s urgent.

Powered by Local Generosity

MATS is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. We receive no state or federal funding. Instead, our work is made possible by the incredible generosity of local citizens, businesses, churches, service groups, and private foundations. Every donation, volunteer hour, and act of kindness fuels our mission and strengthens our community.